New Orleans Pelicans center Nikola Mirotic poised for huge year
By Terry Kimble
New Orleans Pelicans Nikola Mirotic will continue the success he had last year by playing great again this season alongside Anthony Davis.
The New Orleans Pelicans needed Nikola Mirotic and Nikola Mirotic needed the New Orleans Pelicans. After watching DeMarcus Cousins suffer a season ending achilles tendon tear, the Pelicans found themselves at a crossroads. The #doitBig motto the team embraced was now a broken dream.
Meanwhile, 925 miles up north, Mirotic found himself the leading scorer on a rebuilding team that was in the midst of a 27-win season. There was also the much-publicized altercation between Mirotic and Chicago Bulls teammate Bobby Portis before the start of the season. During the altercation, Portis reportedly punched Mirotic in the face causing several facial fractures and a concussion.
Mirotic missed the start of his season due to injuries and didn’t return to play until early December. Portis, who was suspended eight games for his role in the incident, returned to play before Mirotic did. Nikola was apparently upset about this which ultimately strained the relationship and led to Nikola requesting a trade.
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His request was accommodated and on February 1, 2018 the Pelicans traded center Omer Asik, guards Tony Allen and Jameer Nelson and a first-round pick to the Bulls for Nikola Mirotic and a second round pick. The Pelicans could once again #doitBig. And do it big they did.
Playing beside the MVP candidate Anthony Davis and 2-way player extraordinaire Jrue Holiday, Mirotic flourished down the stretch. Mirotic averaged career highs with 15.6 points and 7.4 rebounds. The Pelicans continued to ride Mirotic’s hot hand in the playoffs.
During the course of the Pelicans four-game sweep against the Portland Trail Blazers, Mirotic averaged 18.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and a blistering 57.1 percent from the field. Mirotic had found his home.
More of the same will be expected from Mirotic this year. He increased his minutes per game from 24 to 29 and he will be expected to finish games. He is an 81 percent free-throw shooter which complements Anthony Davis’ almost 80 percent career average. Having two bigs shooting a high percentage from the free throw line late in games with bode well for the Pelicans to be able to finish teams off.
Even with the additions of forward Julius Randle and center Jahlil Okafor, Mirotic will find himself getting the bulk of the playing time playing alongside AD. His ability to space the floor with his shooting will open up driving lanes for the guards and allow AD to work uninhibited down low.
Mirotic should get the start when the Pelicans open up the regular season against the Houston Rockets. His familiarity with the offense along with his defense and rebounding has him leading the pack for the frontcourt spot alongside AD. I see Mirotic easily averaging around 15 points and 7 rebounds a game.
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Yes, Mirotic has fit in well with the Pelicans. He can showcase his amazing shooting prowess, underrated defense, and constant hustle. The New Orleans Pelicans and Mirotic needed each other. It’s good to be wanted sometime.